St. Lucia Prime Minister Pierre to visit Taiwan next week: MOFA

Taipei, Nov. 27 (CNA) Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre will arrive in Taiwan on Monday for a five-day visit, during which he will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Sunday.

Pierre will head a delegation of Cabinet ministers, including Shawn A. Edward, minister of education, sustainable development, innovation, science, technology and vocational training; Evaristus Jn. Marie, chair of the National Insurance Corporation; and Chairman of Saint Lucia Development Bank Daryl Raymond, MOFA said in a press release.

The meeting with Tsai at the Presidential Office will include discussions on bilateral cooperation projects and other topics of mutual interest, according to MOFA.

During the visit Nov. 28-Dec. 2, Pierre will also meet with Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the ministry said.

It will be Pierre's first visit to Taiwan since he took office as prime minster last July, MOFA said, adding that he and his delegation will be welcomed with a military salute.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Lucia first established diplomatic relations in 1984, but the ties were broken in 1997 when the Caribbean country switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

In April 2007, Taiwan and Saint Lucia reestablished diplomatic relations, and China consequently severed its formal ties with the latter.